Game apparatus



June 1961 L. G. SHQIJIAN 2,988,364

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 24. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 TRANSLATING AND COMPUTING MEANS 5, FIG. 2

r M L 2| a2 a as 25 l I 24 I 26 A J 6 L 3 L i A 29 LUTHER e. SIMJIAN INVENTOR BY En 13% June 13, 1961 G. SIMJIAN 2,988,364

GAME APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 24, 1956 2 Sheets-sheet 2 FIG. 3 7 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

5| START 44 TIME VELOCITY LOFT omecnou 4 AND TIME DISTANCE LUTHER G. SIMJIAN INVENTOR 2,988,364 GAME APPARATUS Luther G. Simjian, Greenwich, Conn., assignor to Reflectone Electronics, Inc, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Continuation of application Ser. No. 567,507, Feb. 24, 1956. This application Feb. 25, 19 58, Ser. No. 717,419

7 Claims. (Cl. 273-185) This application is a continuation of my copending application for US. Letters Patent, Serial No. 567,507 filed February 24, 1956 for improvements in Game Appara tus which application will now be permitted to lapse without prejudice, in view of its being'superseded by this present application.

This invention relates to a game apparatus which pore mits a player to propel a missile within the restricted space of an enclosure and then view the results of his efforts on a miniature scale, showing the approximate path of the missile if the play had been made out of doors and the missile propelled in free space. The invention has particular reference to an apparatus which will, show the results of a player throwing or batting a ball on a baseball diamond or of a golfer driving a ball on a golf course. I l

There have been several structures devised which pera mit a golf or baseball player to. practice indoors hut none of these structures shows the player the approximate trajectory of the propelled missile in three dimensional space. The present invention employs afr ee hall within the restricted space of a room or otherwise restticted enclosure, using a target to sense the direction and velocity of the propelled missile. A miniature game field is .pro-v vided which simulates an outdoor playing field and the path of the ball is indicated in three dimensions by a plurality of motors which lift the ball above the miniature course or field and at the same time, shift the field, in two dimensions, to indicate the proportional speed and direction that the ball would have taken it played out of doors. Several prior art devices show the approximate trajectory of a propelled missile by the movements of a projected spot of light on a viewing screen. Such an ar-. rangement has obvious disadvantages since the movement of the spot occurs in two dimensions only and does not give the player a true picture of the movement of the missile.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved game apparatus which avoids one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of prior art arrangements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus which may be used indoors in a restrieted space and which has many of the advantages of a game out of doors.

Another object of the invention is to provide .a three dimensional visual result of a players efforts.

Another object .of the invention to instruct a player by showing some of the faults and errors made by a player while projecting a missile toward an object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus which may be used in competitive play by two or more players.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematicrepresentation of the components of the game apparatus showing a target sensing means, a translating means, and the motors, which operateto move the ball and the playing field n nes dimensional space to show the approximate path of the missile.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the mechanism Patented June 13, 1961 2 which moves the playing field in two dimensional space: FIG. 2 is taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a tee which supports a golf ball and illustrates the contact mechanism which is operated when the ball is driven from the tee.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of connections showing a servo-motor circuit which may be used in connection with targets which control variable resistors.

FIG. 5 is a bloclg diagram showing the circuit components and motors which are required when some types of targets are used.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a missile 10 is shown on a supporting means 11 in a position to be driven toward a target sensing means 12. The missile 10 may be a golf ball, a baseball, or a football. The general direction of the path of the missile is indicated by a dashed line 13:. The target 12 receives the propelled ball 10 and determines the position of impact thereon. Many forms of targets have been devised which will achieve this result. One such target has been described in a copending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 381,601, filed September 22, 1953, by L. G. Simjian, now Patent No. 2,894,- 751, issued July 14, 1959. This application discloses a bodily movable target in combination with one or more variable resistors and a computing circuit which determines the characteristics of the path of the ball in free space. One form of the target disclosed in this applica: tion comprises a mat which receives the impact 'of the missile and is moved to rotate about a vertical axis to indicate direction and about a horizontal axis to show the missiles approximate loft. The maximum movement about each axis is recorded by the movements of a con: tact arm sliding along a variable resistor and the amount of residual resistance is used by a computing device to control a visual display to show the approximate movement of the missile in free space.

Another type of target is disclosed in United States patent application, Serial No. 474,812, filed December 13, 1954, by 1.. G. Simjian, now Patent No. 2,784,001, issued March 5, 1957. This application discloses a single target having two sets of crossed contact wires in combination with a voltage divider and a chargeable capacitor to transmit an electrical pulse which is proportional to the position of impact on the target. This application also discloses a circuit means for determining the velocity of the missile, the circuit including contacts underneath the tee which are operated to indicate the start of a time interval and contacts operated by the missiles impact upon the surface of the target mat which indicate the end of that time interval. The duration of this time interval controls a time constant circuit in combination with a gaseous discharge tube to determine the velocity and distance the missile would have traveled in free space. The time constant circuit controls an alternating current sup,- ply which is applied to a motor which governs the length of the missiles movement as seen on the visual display.

In FIG. 1 the target 12 is shown connected to a trans lating and computing means 19 which is similar to the circuits described in the above mentioned applications. Circuit means 19 controls three motors, one motor 14 which raises and lowers a captive object 15 employed for simulating the path of the ball in free space. One set of conductors 16 is connected to a motor 17 which moves a miniature playing field 18 to the right or left to indicate the horizontal direction of the ball in free space. Another set of conductors 20 is connected to a third motor 21 which moves the playing field 18 in a longitudinal direction to show the length of the drive in a direction away from the player.

The playing field 18 is mounted on four bearing blocks 22 in which are journaled two shafts 23 and 24. Each of these shafts is fastened to two wheels 25 and 26-for moving the playing field in a direction which is approximately at right angles to the missiles desired direction. Motor 17 is coupled to one of the shafts 23 by means of a gear train 27. Motor 21 is mounted on a U-shaped frame 28 in which are journaled two shafts 30, one of which is rotated by a gear train 31 coupled to motor 21. Each of the shafts 30 includes two wheels 32 and 33 which permit movement of the frame and the playing field on rails 34 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the missile.

The operation of this device is substantially as follows: When the ball is propelled from its start position, a pair of contacts 35 (see FIG. 3) is closed and a relay in the translating and computing means 19 is operated as described in Patent No. 2,715,338, issued August 16, 1955, to L. G. Simjian. When the ball hits the target 12, a second relay is operated which indicates the end of a time interval which is inversely proportional to the balls velocity. The results of the velocity computation are applied to motor 21 and the playing field is moved in a direction which is to the left as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

When the ball hits target 12, its position is sensed by any one of a number of sensing means. The target may be bodily movable and vary a contact point on two resistors 38 and 39 (see FIG. 4) in response to the bodily motion. The variation of these contact points on the resistors produces variable voltages which are applied to amplifiers 36 and 37, and the amplified power is transmitted to motors 14 and 17. Motor 14 raises and lowers the object with a motion which is coincident with the motion of the playing field 18, moved by motors 17 and j The circuit shown in FIG. 4 is a servo-bridge and includes resistors '40 and 41 which are secured to the playing field 18. Contact points 42 and 43 are connected to the motors and slide along resistors 40 and 41 when the playing field is moved.

Target 12 may also be made with a plurality of photoelectric-cells and light beams for determining the passage of the ball through the target space. Such targets have been described in the prior art and include both horizontal and vertical light beams which illuminate photoremaining surface of the field is electrically conductive. When the operation starts the object is lifted by a conductive cord fastened to shaft 53' which is connected to the computing circuit 19 by means of a slip ring 54 and brush 55. When the object is lowered to the playing field 18, a relay is operated in the computing circuit and the power to the motors is disconnected.

After the play has been made, the object 15 will be positioned on the miniature playing field 18 to show the approximate position of a ball propelled in free flight. If it is desired to reset the apparatus automatically this can be accomplished by a second set of contacts 50 under the tee 11. When the ball 10 and the tee 11 are put in electric cells. When the missile passes through the target plane, at least one horizontal beam and one vertical beam is out off and the corresponding photoelectric cells are actuated, producing a voltage pulse which is proportional to the position of the missile as it passes the target plane.

For all cases where the target 12 includes contact means which are operated by the impact of the ball, the computing circuit will include the components illustrated in FIG. 5. In this block diagram the start time circuit 44 is controlled by contacts 35 (FIG. 3) and the stop time circuit 45 is controlled by any one of the contacts in target 12. These two circuits are connected to the computing circuit 46 which receives the time signals and then transmits an electrical pulse to motor 21 which moves the miniature playing field 18 to simulate the distance the ball would have traveled in free flight.

Target 12 determines the vertical component of the position of impact and transmits this information to a loft circuit 47 which sends an electrical signal to motor 14, the signal being proportional to the height the ball would have traveled in free flight. This motor, as described above, raises and lowers the object 15 on the miniature playing field 18. Target 12 also senses the horizontal direction of the position of impact and transmits this information to a direction circuit 48 which delivers a pulse to motor 17, causing it to move to the right or left and positions the playing field accordingly.

Motors 14, 17, and 21 can be adjusted in connection with their control circuits to stop at about the same time the object is lowered to the playing field. However, better results are obtained and the play is made more realistic if all the motors are stopped at the same time by an additional control circuit. Object 15 is positioned on an insulated portion 52 when the apparatus is normalized, the

their starting position contacts 50 are closed and an electrical pulse is sent over conductor 51 to all three motors 14, 17, and 21, causing them to be reset to their original position. A resetting circuit has been described in patent application No. 474,812, filed December 13, 1954, by L. G. Simjian, now U.S. Patent No. 2,784,001 issued March 5, 1957. In this patent six reset contacts are operated to return the game apparatus to the start position. It is contemplated that contacts 50, when closed, operate a relay having six contacts to function as described in the above mentioned application.

The game apparatus described above may be combined with targets 12 of several types, varying in structural details. The system may also employ a variety of translating and computing means 19' in order to control the three motors 14, 17, and 21.. However, it is believed that the best results will be obtained when a target using crossed contact wires is employed in combination with a computing mechanism as set forth in US. Patent 2,784,001, issued to L. G. Simjian on March 5, 1957.

While there have been described and illustrated specific embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications can be made in the target, the playing field, and other parts of the apparatus without departing from the field of the invention which should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a golf game apparatus the combination of: a target for receiving the impact of a missile; a computing means for producing signals responsive to the path of the missile as sensed by the impact of the missile on the target, and a display means connected to said computing means for displaying the simulated trajectory of said missile in free flight; said display means including a miniature playing field; motive means coupled to said field for moving said field longitudinally and laterally; a miniature missile simulating object disposed above said field and coupled to motive means for causing vertical motion thereof relative to said field; said computing means connected to said motive means for causing, in response to the impact of the missile on the target, longitudinal and lateral motion of said field and also causing vertical motion of said missile simulating object, and the combined motions of said field and missile simulating object simulating the trajectory of said missile in free flight.

2. In a golf game apparatus the combination of: a target for receiving the impact of a missile; a computing means for producing signals responsive to the path of the missile as sensed by the impact of the missile on the target, and a display means connected to saidcomputing means for displaying the simulated trajectory of said missile in free flight; said display means including a miniature playing field; motive means coupled to said field for moving said field longitudinally and laterally; a miniature missile simulating object disposed above said field and coupled to motive means for causing vertical motion thereof relative to said field; said computing means connected to said motive means for causing, in response to the impact of the missile on the target, longitudinal and lateral motion of said field and also causing sequential up ar an downward. motion of said missile simulati object, and the combined motions of said field and missile simulating object simulating the trajectory of said missile in free flight.

3. In a golf game apparatus the combination of: a target for receiving the impact of a missile; a computing means for producing signals responsive to the path of the missile as sensed by the impact of the missile on the target, and a display means connected to said computing means for displaying the simulated trajectory of said missile in free flight; said display means including a miniature playing field; motive means coupled to said field for moving said field longitudinally and laterally; a miniature missile simulating object disposed above said field and coupled by means of a flexible cord to motive means for causing vertical motion of said object relative to said field; said computing means connected to said motive means for causing, in response to the impact of the missile on the target, longitudinal and lateral motion of said field and causing also sequential upward and downward motion of said missile simulating object, and the combined motions of said field and object simulating the trajectory of said missile in free flight.

4. In a golf game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein means are provided to stop vertical motion of said missile simulating object when the latter is in contact with the field.

5. In a golf game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein electrically conductive means are provided to cooperate between said object and field to stop downward motion of said object when the object and playing field are in contact with one another.

6. In a golf game apparatus the combination of: a target for receiving the impact of a missile; a computing means for producing signals responsive to the path of the missile as sensed by the impact of the missile on the target, and a display means connected to said computing means for displaying the simulated trajectory of said missile in free flight; said display means including threedimensional miniature playing field; first and second motive means coupled to said field -for respectively moving said field longitudinally and laterally; a miniature missile simulating object disposed above said field and coupled to a third motive means for causing vertical motion of the object relative to said field; said computing means connected to said first, second and third motive means for causing, in response to the impact of the missile on the target, longitudinal and lateral motion of said field and also causing sequential upward and downward motion of said missile simulating object, and the combined motions of said field and object simulating the trajectory of said missile in free flight.

7. In a golf game apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said motive means comprise electromotive means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,761,317 Stresser June 3, 1930 1,828,091 Spafiord Oct. 20, 1931 2,413,633 Jones Dec. 31, 1946 2,679,033 Hartman May 18, 1954 

